Stool



A. MILLER AND 0. c. MATTHEWS.

STOOL.

APPLICATION FILED NOV. 20.19l9- RENEWED JAN. 10.1922- 1,407,433.

Patented Feb. 21, 1922.

in" more ALBERT MILLER AND CHAUN'GY C. MATTHEWS, OF COLUMBUS, OHIO, ASSIGNORS, BY DIRECT AND MESNE ASSIGNMENTS, OF TWO-THIRDS TO CHARLES E. MILLER, OF COLUMBUS, OHIO, AND ONE-THIRD TO SAID ALBERT MILLER.

STOOL.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Feb. 21, 1922.

Application filed November 20, 1919, Serial No. 339,363. Renewed January 10, 1922. Serial No. 528,137.

invented certain new and useful Improvements in Stools, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates broadly to stools, and similar articles of furniture, the object of the invention being to provide a stool wherein the seat structure thereof is resiliently supported, whereby the stool may be efiicaciously used upon cars, and other public carriers for the purpose of providing for the comfort of the operators thereof.

The invention consists in the provision of a stool wherein is embodied a frame structure, a seat and spring means between the frame structure and the seat for resiliently supporting the latter, said spring means consisting of a plurality of vertically disposed springs which are so positioned with relation to thestem of the seat as to receive and absorb the weights imparted to said seat, and said spring means being further formed to include a plurality of substantially horizontally disposed springs, which operate in con-' junction with the seat stem for the purpose maintaining the centered positions of the latter and also to relieve the vertical springs of excessive strains.

Another ob ect of the invention resides in the provision of a stool of the aforesaid character wherein the seat structure is not only resiliently supported but is also capable of being vertically adjusted so that the same may be readily accommodated to the convenience of the user.

A further object of the invention resides in equipping the seat stem with a collar which is normally located in spaced relationship from a fixed frame carried spring, whereby upward movement on the part of the seat structure will be arrested and the shock thereof absorbed by said springs.

For a further understanding of the invention reference is to be had to the following description, and to the accompanying drawing, in which similar characters of reference denote like and correspondlng parts. In said drawing:

Figure 1 is a side elevation of the improved stool comprising the present invention,

Figure 2- is a vertical longitudinal sectional view thereof, and

Figure 3 is a horizontal sectional view taken along the line 3-3 of Figure 1.

Referring more particularly to the structural details of the stool, the latter consists of a suitable frame 1, which is formed to embody a plurality of substantially vertical legs 2, horizontal rungs 3 and a top member 4. All of these parts are assembled in the ordinary manner to provide a rigid frame. In this instance the top member 4 is provided with a central vertically extending opening 5, in which is loosely positioned for vertical movement the stem. 6 of a seat 7, the latter may be of any suitable construction and if desired may embody a back rest, not shown.

In order to resiliently support the seat 7, the stem 6 has its lower end threaded as at 8 so' as to be adjustable within an internally threaded plate member 9, the latter being of substantially disk formation and is situated within the confines of the frame 1. To support the plate member, the latter is provided with a plurality of eyes 10, with which are connected the lower ends 11 of a plurality of substantially vertically disposed springs 12, which have their upper ends connected with eye bolts 13 rigidly secured to the under side of the top member 4. It will be understood that these springs may be of any suitable number or size, and as shown the same is so positioned as to act in common for the purpose of receiving and absorbing weights imparted to the seat structure.

. By virtue of this construction it will be manifest that a stool is provided wherein the shocks and jars incident to the use of a rigid stool are eliminated, and that the user may comfortably employ the present construction for a considerable period without experiencing any undue fatigue or discomfort. The construction is particularly advantageous for those employed upon street cars, or in other occupations wherein jolts and shocks are occasioned.

As has been previously set forth, the stem 6 is loosely mounted for sliding movement within the vertical opening 5 of the top member at and this construction while necessary never-thedess allows under ordinary of the user.

eyes 10 and also with adjacent portions of the legs 2. Manifestly, the use of the springs 14 will tend to overcome lateral play on the part of the seat structure and will thereby render the latter firm and secure in use and operation' Also, the springs 14 may be employed to supplement the action of the vertical springs 12, since when certain loads have been placed upon the latter, the springs 14: will be brought into service and the latter will thereby serve to prevent excessive wear upon any particular part of the spring mechanism.

In order to prevent the seat 7 from rebounding too excessively, when weight has been removed therefrom, the opening 5 is equippedwith a fixed metallic ring 15, to which is rigidly secured the upper end of a check spring 16, the latter being of helical formation {and in this instance is disposed to surround the stem 6. The stem 6 is, in turn, equipped with an adjustable collar 17 whose positions upon said stem are controlled by means of a manually operated screw 18. This collar is so adjusted that when weight is taken off of the seat, and the springs 12 are permitted to contract, said collar will be brought into engagement with the lower end of the spring 16, whereby the otherwise sharp upward movement of the seat structure is arrested, and the operation of the stool thus rendered automatic in operation and jolts and strains are removed from its mechanism.

From the foregoing description taken in connection with the accompanying drawing, it will be seen that there is provided an improved stool, wherein the spring mechanism, thereof is of such character as to insurecomfort to the user and longevity on the part of the stool. By threading the stem 6, adjustments in a vertical direction may be imparted to the seat in order that the stool may be accommodated to the stature By the spirngs 14 lateral movement of the seat will be precluded and by use of the check' spring, undue strains upon the springs 12 and 14 will be eliminated and the operation of the stool will be rendered more uniform or in other words of a less vibratory character, While it has been stated that the stool is particularly approvided in said top member, a collar threaded to the lower end of said stem, vertically disposed springs having their upper ends connected with'the under portion of said top member and their lower ends connected with the stem carried collar, and a pluralit of horizontally extending springs connected with said collar and with the depending legs of said frame, said springs serving to maintain the centered positions of said stem and its associated seat.

2. A stool comprising a frame, including verticaly disposed legs and horizontally disposed top member, said member having a centrally vertically disposed opening formed therein, a seat structure including a vertically depending stem, a platform member threadedly carried by the lower end of said stem, vertically disposed springs connected with said top member and with said plate member and serving to resiliently support the seat structure, substantially horizontally situated springs operating in conjunction with said vertical springs to resiliently receive weight deposited upon said seat structure to maintain said stem in the centered position, and a check spring structure carried by said top member andoperating in conjunction with a fixed abutment carried by said stem for the purpose of absorbing and checking undue upward movement on the part of said seat'structure.

. In testimony whereof We afiix our signatures.

ALBERT MILLER. CHAUNCY C. MATTHEWS. 

